Our team at Explorica, along with the broader team at WorldStrides, has been closely following the spread of the coronavirus, now named COVID-19, as governments and health agencies around the world react to contain the disease.
First, we want to express our organization’s heartfelt sympathy for those impacted, and our hopes for recovery and a return to normalcy in those areas most affected. It is with great regret that our company made the proactive decision to cancel or relocate our programs in China, and more recently South Korea, this spring. Both nations have a Level 3 Warning from the CDC that advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel.
WorldStrides takes a proactive approach to health and safety and has made significant investments in an infrastructure to support a continuous and evolving review of the situation. We continue to update our recommendations based on the guidance of partners like WorldAware and the George Washington University Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as updates from the World Health Organization, the Centres for Disease Control, and the Government of Canada. The safety and security of our travellers and participants is, and always will be, our highest priority! We will not allow students to travel if we don’t think it is safe to do so.
While the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, it is important to recognize that the spread of the virus has been largely geographically limited, with nearly all of the cases occurring in mainland China. Though the media coverage can seem frightening, the CDC has advised that the immediate health risk to the general Canadian public is considered low at this time. The focus on containment is preventative, and we’re encouraged to see the CDC and other organizations taking it so seriously.
We are closely following news from Italy and Japan in particular, where the CDC has noted what they call “community spread” of the virus. There have been cases spread in the communities of Italy’s Lombardy and Veneto region, and officials in these regions issued quarantines and took aggressive preventative measures to prevent further spread. There is also increased concern in Japan, where a cruise ship off Yokohama experienced rapid spread of the disease. Neither the CDC nor the Government of Canada have recommended against travel to these countries for healthy Canadians. Explorica is making adjustments to itineraries that meet proactive, elevated standards for safety at this time. However, we do believe we can support safe travel in these countries.
The CDC and the Government of Canada do advise that older travellers and those with chronic health conditions (both considered higher risk) speak with their medical professionals before travelling to Italy or Japan.
All travellers, regardless of the destination, can follow standard hygiene practices to stay healthy. These include:
- Do not touch any part of your face without first washing your hands.
- Avoid contact with persons who are already ill.
- Avoid unnecessary touching of other persons (e.g. shaking hands in greeting) and limit touching publicly-shared surfaces, where possible.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Carry hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol) and use it for situations where hand washing might not be possible.
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue or in your elbow.
These tips will also help travellers protect themselves against the common cold and flu.
There are screening measures in place at many Canadian airports, which is another preventative step that the health organizations are taking. Travellers should be prepared to arrive early and comply with screening procedures at airports.
Explorica and WorldStrides have successfully addressed similar worldwide health issues in the past. We utilize our substantial global network to offer alternative options to our travellers, where possible, that can meet both our safety guidelines and our commitment to each participant’s overall experience. Safety is our first priority, and we will continue to update our guidance as this situation evolves. We look forward to the day when the virus is contained, and all borders are open once again for continued educational opportunities with students from around the world.
Are health and safety measure being implemented for imminent trips to Europe? While the airport screenings are good, what is being done between airport visits to ensure the students health and exposure to potential infection is being managed in the best way possible?
Our Medical Director has advised on additional guidelines for all programs, and we have implemented additional training for our Tour Directors to encourage best hygiene practices, like frequent hand washes, and avoiding unnecessary touching of surfaces or people.
Can you please post a link to where we can learn more about your travel insurance policies?
For information about our Travel Protection Plan, please read more here. Specific details about the policy’s coverage can be found on Trip Mate website, which is linked on that page. Thanks!
So right now It’s considered as a stage 3; non- essential travel? In Italy So what do that mean for students that are travelling in April?
As of March 3, 2020, the Government of Canada only has regions in Northern Italy listed as a Level 3. The rest of Italy has remained at a Level 1 travel advisory for travellers to take normal precautions, and as such, we’re reaching out to all Canadian groups travelling to Italy to discuss specific tour options, including rerouting tours to destinations outside Italy. Please reach out to your Group Leader for further details.
So the American Explorica blog posted Feb 28th stated that they were not recommending travel to Italy since it was declared a level 3 and are making arrangement to change travel itinerary. Why is the Canadian Explorica page not saying the same thing when it comes to the travel advisory?
As Canadians, we are following guidance from the Government of Canada, and closely monitoring the response from other worldwide organizations and government departments. Like our US counterparts, we’re reaching out to all Canadian groups travelling to Italy to discuss specific tour options, including rerouting tours to destinations outside Italy. Please reach out to your Group Leader for further details.
My daughter and granddaughter are scheduled to travel to Greece in less than two weeks – is it safe to travel there (River Cruise) or should we cancel our plans?
Currently, we feel that travel to Greece can proceed uninterrupted per the guidance from the Government of Canada and other organizations. We continue to monitor the situations, and we will not allow our groups to travel to certain areas if we do not think it is safe to do so.
For groups travelling to northern Italy, such as Venice or Florence, will the itinerary change or be cancelled since it has been listed as a level 3 by the CDC?
As per the elevated advisory from the Government of Canada, we are reaching out to all Canadian groups travelling to northern Italy to discuss their options, such as rerouting, postponing, or cancelling. We encourage you to speak to your Group Leader for further details specific to your tour.